Holiday couple are among arson dead

A young couple on holiday in London were among the three people murdered in a "cold, calculated" early morning arson attack, the Evening Standard can reveal.

Police have launched a murder investigation following the blaze at a four-storey block of 10 flats in Stoke Newington.

Daniel Orzechowsca, 28, and Gabriela Orzechowsca, 25, from Poland, were staying at the top floor of the converted Victorian house on Cazenove Road when the property was targeted by arsonists at 4.16am yesterday.

Their badly burned bodies, as well as that of a third unidentified victim, were found on the first floor of the property. They were removed last night, 14 hours after the blaze broke out.

The couple could only be identified through their dental records, after a close family friend contacted police.

Duran Sanlkegili, 38, who has known Mrs Orzechowsca for 10 years and refers to her as a "cousin", told the Standard he fainted with shock when he saw the fire. Mr Sanlkegili, of Tottenham, had gone to see the couple after they failed to show up for a rendezvous.

He said: "I called my cousin's mobile and her husband, and they were switched off. I was very scared. If she promises something she will do it. She is always on time."

As he reached the cordonedoff perimeter police informed him of the seriousness of the incident. "Then I see exactly my cousin's flat on fire," he said. "I fell on the floor, I fainted. I was so shocked. I wanted to go inside but the police did not let me."

Mrs Orzechowsca, a teacher, and Mr Orzechowsca, a carpenter, arrived in London in August, on a three-month holiday to learn English and visit friends, he said.

They found the flat in a newspaper and, despite reservations over rent, took it up as it was near to their school.

"They were very nice people, very warm and friendly," said Mr Sanlkegili. "They had come here to see me. I am very upset. My cousin's mum is very ill. How do I tell her?"

Detective chief inspector Vic Rae, who is heading the inquiry, said: "It would appear to be a cold calculated act. We will be looking to see if anybody had a vendetta against anybody that lived in the address."

The fire, which started near the front door, destroyed the staircase, blew out windows and gutted the majority of the first and second floors. It was extinguished at around 10.30am.

Two men and a woman were rescued by firefighters. Another six people had already escaped, including a woman who was injured leaping from the second floor.

The adults are all believed to be eastern European and were interviewed by police.